Quick Taco Pasta Salad: A Flavorful Twist for Easy Entertaining
Quick Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and customizable dish that combines the flavors of taco night with the heartiness of pasta, perfect for easy entertaining.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- - Knife
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound Ground Beef opt for 85/15 for a satisfying balance
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning McCormick's Mild is a favorite
- 8 ounces Rotini Pasta cook it al dente for best texture
- 1 Green Pepper can be swapped with any bell pepper
- 1 Yellow Onion red onion can be used for bolder flavor
- 1 cup Grape Tomatoes cherry tomatoes can be replaced
- 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese Sargento Shredded recommended
- 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce feel free to use any lettuce you prefer
- 1/2 cup Black Olives can be omitted if desired
For the Dressing
- 1 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone is a delicious option
For the Crunch
- 1 bag Doritos add just before serving to keep them crispy
Instructions
Preparation
- Dice the green pepper and yellow onion, halve the grape tomatoes, and shred the iceberg lettuce. Set aside the black olives for later.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente, according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Stir in the taco seasoning along with 1/4 cup of water and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, seasoned beef, prepared veggies, cheese, and black olives. Stir gently to mix.
- Drizzle the French dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Right before serving, crush the Doritos into bite-sized pieces and mix in gently to keep their crunch intact.
Notes
Prepare all ingredients the day before, but keep the dressing and Doritos aside to add freshness at serving time.